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First AF vice commander receives second star

  • Published
  • By Angela Pope
  • AFNORTH Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  In a light-hearted ceremony riddled with April Fools' Day jokes, the vice commander of 1st Air Force (Air Forces Northern) collected some new hardware.

Maj. Gen. Joseph Lengyel received his second star at the Horizons Community Center at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., April 1, surrounded by his Air Force family and his family of Air Force Airmen. Among the many family and friends who showed up to support the general were his father, retired Lt. Col. Lauren Lengyel, his son, 2nd Lt. Michael Lengyel, and his brother, Brig. Gen. Greg Lengyel.

The presiding officer of the ceremony was Gen. Craig McKinley, National Guard Bureau chief, who also presided over Major General Lengyel's promotion to brigadier general.

"I pinned on his first star, so it's great to be back here to do it again," General McKinley said. "General Lengyel has a long list of great achievements, awards and decorations, and I'm proud to be part of the ceremony."

Once all April Fools' Day fears were squashed, General McKinley and Colonel Lengyel pinned the newly minted major general's stars on his service dress uniform. Then, his wife Sally and daughter Katie took their turn, putting two-star epaulets on General Lengyel's blouse.

"I'm thankful for an opportunity to continue my service," General Lengyel said. "I'm getting more toward the end of my career than I'd like to think about, but if being promoted means I get to stay and contribute in some meaningful way, then I'm happy about it."

As General Lengyel addressed the standing-room only crowd, he thanked his family members for their support over the years. As he turned to address his brother, his attitude became a little more playful, yet still grateful.

"I joke that I need a nametag that says 'Greg's brother' because so many people around the Air Force ask me if I'm related to him," he said. "We shared a room as kids and often our bedtime conversations were about flying for the Air Force when we grew up. There is no rivalry between us, just the occasional friendly joke."

General Lengyel then passed off his one-star tie tack, his one-star stationery and some other brigadier general memorabilia along to his brother, quipping, "You'll probably need this for awhile!"

Now, looking back on 30 years in the service and countless assignments, the general can't pinpoint any one job or experience that was more valuable than another.

"It's impossible to single out any one part of my career as the most rewarding," General Lengyel said. "It's like asking which of your children you like best. Every assignment has been unique, and each brought new opportunities. I suspect it was my collective career that made me who I am today, and for the most part, I'm very happy with how it has turned out."

During that time, the general hasn't let challenges stand in his way.

"I prefer to think of challenges as opportunities," General Lengyel said. "Given any tough issue, there is always a way ahead. Open, direct and sincere communication with a willingness to hear all sides of any issue seems to have gotten me through most things."

And for those who aspire to follow in the general's footsteps, he offers the same advice he gives to his son who is halfway through undergraduate pilot training.

"Work hard, be good at your job, do the right thing and savor every minute of it because the time goes fast!" General Lengyel said.